Hello Every-pony! When I first saw the Literature section I was extremely pleased, I thought “Yay! A place where I may discuss subjects at a higher level of thinking with likeminded peers!” I absolutely love the Poetry thread, but I am sad that not many people post often on the Literature section. I am making this thread in the hopes that the Literature section might become more popular. (I can dream) This Thread is for sharing and discussing your favorite philosophical quotes, and ideas. It is also a place for discussion of human (and pony) nature. I look forward to deep, thought provoking, and intellectual conversations with all of you. I will start with one of my all time favorite quotes from the French philosopher Voltaire, “Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.” - Voltaire Please discuss.
"Brute force can sometimes kick down a locked door, but knowledge is a skeleton key" Sorry if this seems rude Stare, but I have always wondered what other might think of this quote.
Love it! No quote can be rude! I can definitely see the truth in that. The cliché - Knowledge is Power – Comes to mind. I have found this to be true in my own life so far. Use a few multisyllabic words and the bullies tend to step right off!
The saying of one of the Space Marines chapter in Warhammer 40k actually is "Knowledge is power, thus do we guard it well." here is another one I absolutely love thanks again to Warhammer 40k: "Pain is an illusion of the senses, despair is an illusion of the mind."
Ah, the sweet philosophy of phycology. You have no idea how useful it is knowing with which foot a challenger steps with, which fist he swings, and all goals of man. Sweet, sweet evil. However, people have proven to me I have I phycic ability, I'm sure that's just a rumor. Besides, anyone can flawlessly read the minds of your peers... Either way, my favorite quote... Hmm... How about: "Two paths spread before me. I took the one less traveled, and that made all the difference.” -Robert Frost Or one of my personal favorites: “His chest heaved, his body shook, and foam bubbled from his mouth in his throne. I lean over and ask,'Edison, what have you done?” -Viewer of the first use of the electric chair. Man, I hate that Thomas Edison. All hail Nikola Tesla, the non-phycopathic inventor of the modern age.
There are a lot of interesting philosofical quotes. One of these called my attention: "A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure" (Lee Segall). Too curious and funny at the same time and... logical obviously.
I've always wondered on 2 phrases often used. "Knowledge is power" and "Ignorance is bliss". I think it poses an interesting question; can one be powerful and happy? And if not, which would you rather be; the powerful content or the blissful idiot?
"I know of the hatred and envy of your hearts. You are not great enough not to know hatred and envy. Then be great enough not to be ashamed of them!" - Zarathustra (F. W. Nietzsche) One day we may be able to live without hatred and envy but for now all we can do is advance our state and try to better ourselves without belittling the very things that make us humans.
Yes we have all heard that power corrupts, and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I like to take all three of these theories as one. To become knowledgeable is to become powerful, to become all knowledgeable is to be all powerful. Will this absolute power, one is absolutely corrupted. What is true corruption? Is it not an evil of a sort? But being ok with your evil? If we are to believe corruption is like that, then the corrupt are truly ignorant. Ignorant is bliss. So ponder this – Those with knowledge can gain absolute power, become corrupted absolutely, and still be blissfully ignorant. Best off all worlds?
The more knowledge you have about terrain and an enemies location and movement pattern the better prepared you are to strike at him or defend against his attacks. This is at least looking at knowledge from a military standpoint.
Military ideals tend to relate to everyday life surprisingly often. I wonder what the connection is between war and peace? Knowing the "area" can be anything from being more familiar with a battle field, to knowing a subject better. It all goes back to our conversation about knowledge is power. Any new thoughts on my theory of "Knowlege is Power, Power Corrupts, Corruption is Ignorance, Ignorance is Bliss"?
Yep. I'd much rather have the wool pulled over my eyes than know a truth that can get me killed later on. Of course, that's a worst case scenario. Nobody is above corruption. The moment the kid in 1st grade took your lollipop because he was blackmailing you with pathetic childish rumours is the moment you were exposed to it. And it'll remain with you forever.
Now that has me thinking... Would you consider that a form of cowardice? Much like when Apple Jack started telling lies in S2 E1? Or do you see it as a form of bravery? Like protecting others somehow?
Knowing me it would be the latter, I will give my live in the protection of innocents or my friends if need be.
Hmm... *mumbles to self* Good to know... Good to know... Knowledge IS power... Wah!? I mean... Ok! Cool!
Sorry, tried to make a joke there, probably shouldn’t have. In all seriousness I respect people who put others before themselves; I respect them in the highest degree. It is priority one of human nature to survive/better one’s self. Those who would choose their family, friend, or even innocent bystander over themselves are not only righteous people, but the strongest willed as well. As for me? In all honesty I can not speak for myself “In the moment”. I can claim that I would do the right thing, but I have never been in that kind of situation before, and as such I could ultimately fail when the actual moment arises.
